Ultra Adelaide 100 Mile

I'm still not sure it's really sunk in that I was able to win a 100mile ultramarathon. Although I've had a few good results lately, this is certainly the first time I've won so to do so in Adelaide is really special.

I'm also quite proud that I could do so representing the Ultra Mediocre Runners of Canberra.

The story behind how I ended up doing this race is quite simple. I ran the 100km race last year and did quite well. This year I bumped into the Event Director, Shaun, while he was in Canberra to run 24 Parkruns in 24 hours. He mentioned the new 100 mile course, and invited me to come and run it. How could I say no?

Of course, that meant I had about 6 weeks worth of training and preparation...

The race started at midnight on the Friday night (So, Friday into Saturday). Due to the way things happened to fall (which in hindsight was not the best planning), I flew into Adelaide on Friday afternoon. At least the Canberra and Adelaide airports aren't stressful, so I had a relaxing morning at home before moseying over to the airport and tried to chill out and relax on the plane as much as possible, even closing my eyes for a little bit.

On arrival at the hotel I dived straight into sorting out my drop bags. I had pre-labelled most things and had a list of what to put in each bag so there were no decisions to make, just a matter of moving things around. Then I went straight on down to rego. Kudos to Ultra Series SA as the gear check, bib collection and timing chip collection pipeline was very smooth, even though I managed to do it out of order (I guess I ignored the copious signs I saw afterwards).

After check-in and catching up with Shaun and the crew I went back to the hotel and tried to sleep for a couple of hours, although I couldn't really get to sleep. I was too wired. I got up again at about 9:00PM, had some noodles and then wandered down to the bus. I arrived at the location the buses pick us up from to find a bus and no people, but eventually another bloke turned up. We had a good chuckle wondering where everyone else was and confirmed they are the right buses. Eventually the rest of the runners wandered on up from the check in / rego area.

We boarded the bus and Shaun gave us a bit of a rundown of how things would go.

The bus ride probably takes about an hour or so. It started off with a bit of chatter between people, but eventually that settled down and it became pretty quiet with folks just trying to chill out and maybe even close their eyes for a bit. On arrival at Kuitpo Forest, we got off the bus and stood haphazardly around the start line. This is pretty typical of the start of these smaller ultras, where people just mill around and then after a short briefing, someone says 'Go' and we all kinda move off the start line.

From the start, no one really went off the front. The terrain of the first 5-10km was flatter than I expected, and I thought I could run a bit quicker so I found myself in the lead which is certainly not something I'm used to. A couple of guys also increased pace and we ended up running in a bit of a group. About 7km in, two guys were running in front of me and missed a turn, so I called them back and made the turn myself which put me in front again. Because I was full of nervous energy I ended up running a bit faster (in particular around the corners), until I pulled my head in because the first hour of a 100mile race is not the right time to be playing games...

I settled in to a rhythm, and one of the guys caught back up to me and then sat a bit behind me. I was fine with this, as I was really enjoying the night running. It was a beautiful night, not too cold and honestly just glorious running conditions and I was really enjoying just cruising along.

I ended up being first into the first checkpoint and aid station, filled up with water, and then used one of the portaloos figuring that was something best to sort out sooner rather than later. That also gave me a chance to not stress about being in front. I took off from the aid station to start the 20km Bold Reservoir loop.

Now I had no idea how many were in front of me, but heading down into the reservoir I could only see one set of footprints in front of me. Not that it matters, I kept telling myself, as these are very early days for the race.

Having said that, I ended up catching up to someone in front of me when I suddenly saw the headlamp not that far ahead. "This is cool" I thought to myself, as I should just relax and settle in as there is no rush to pass. However I realised I was still catching up in particular through a glorious section of pine forest, and ended up passing.

Just after passing, there were some people up ahead off in the bushes with torches. I assume looking for mushrooms, presumably of the magic variety. I waved and gave a "Hey how's it goin'" as I went past, but I'm not sure who was more confused. Probably them, to be honest, wondering who all these people are out at 3AM...

I came back into the checkpoint and they seemed a little surprised that I was back, saying I am the first one back. I guess that confirms my current position. I filled up with water again and then started off onto the section to Mylor feeling really good. I did this section last year during the 100KM and was looking forward to cracking on.

This section is really quite enjoyable and honestly it was pretty uneventful. The sections that I expected to be quite boggy actually weren't boggy at all. I waved hello to the confused cows in the darkness, and then hit the short road section bringing me into Mylor and the checkpoint there.

As will be a running theme here the folks at the checkpoint were absolutely amazing. They helped me fill up with water and offered some kind words, and then I just got cracking again since I was keen to get to Mt Lofty before sunrise, and at this rate I was on track to be there well before sunrise.

This is quite a fun section with some enjoyable single track next to the road before the course heads through Bridgewater (where the 100k course starts in a few hours), and then some more single track through to the other side of the golf course, followed by foggy road sections before the steep, steep climb up to the top of Mt Lofty.

It was a little cooler and certainly foggy at Lofty. I had a drop bag at the checkpoint, and picked up my poles (I confirmed with Ultra Series SA last year that it's permitted to pickup and drop-off poles during the race. Some races only permit poles if you carry them the whole way), and some more food.

Speaking of food: The first 5 or 6 hours of gel intake went really well but then my stomach started rebelling. I was entirely unsurprised at this happening, because in the 6 weeks prior I had not trained my gut at all. I'll talk to this more a bit later on, but I just had to let things settle for a while and then get in as much as I could. In hindsight, I should've started with a lower volume of gel.

I wanted to treat the departure from Mt Lofty as a little bit of a reset and mentally treat it as a new 100km race. It's a bit cooler, windier, and foggier up on Mt Lofty so I chucked the gloves back on and headed out on the next section. I'm not familiar with this area, and nearly made a few navigational errors due to the pre-dawn darkness and the fog making course markings hard to see. With the combination of course marking and the map on my watch though I never went more than a few metres off course.

After heading out of the park and crossing the freeway there's a road section that was a bit longer than I expected. This was good for some nice consistent running but I definitely felt the trail shoes a little bit on this section.

It was, however, very green and pretty in places, with some excellent views into the valley.

The road ended in a short trail descent and then some buttery smooth single track next to a creek (including bandicoot habitat! Sadly I did not see any bandicoots). This last section of single track was really fun before a short climb up to the McElligotts Quarry aid station. I had a bit of a chat to the volunteers here, filled up with water and had a few lollies and then figured I might as well keep on rolling.

This next section is the longest between checkpoints and included a few tough climbs. It's also 80-100km into the race. I knew once I completed that section though, there was a short loop around Cleland and then it's only 13 or 14km to Norton Summit, and from there it's a few short 10km sections to Gorge Road and eventually the finish. It's always fun to think about the ways to break down a distance like this.

I left McElligotts Quarry feeling optimistic about just locking in for the next 20km to get it done. Leaving the aid station, it's pretty much a straight climb up Brown Hill which affords some excellent views over the city. You don't stay up there for long though, it's then a descent back down the hill!

That's not a bad thing though, because then the course hits some awesome single track. I felt a little bit off but this distance into a race it's entirely normal to have low moments, so I just kept pushing on and kept aiming to get gel and water into me. The single track was fun and quite a pretty area, and then the course rejoins the road.

Climbing up the road wasn't a terribly long section and I kept thinking along here that this seems quite runnable and maybe I should be moving faster. Until I realised that the cyclists were passing me slowly and looking like they were working pretty hard. I figured that if the cyclists are working hard to get up here, then maybe it's fine if I walk a bit and I move a bit slower on this section.

That section didn't last long, and the course turns off onto a gravel road and a smooth descent. I actually don't have a super clear memory of this part, although I remember there being quite a few people out walking and riding, before once again punting onto the single track that takes us down to Waterfall Gully Road. It's a little jog up the road (which seems to be insanely popular on a Saturday morning), then we head up Pengana Spur...

Pengana Spur was the only part of the course when I thought "uh oh maybe I've overcooked this". It's bloody steep, and looking at the data afterwards there are parts of the climb that range upwards of a 40% grade. I saw some people on this section and they asked if I was the first miler through, and asked if I needed anything. I declined, as it was only 3km to the aid station but I had regrets about declining the offer of some cold coke a bit later on.

By the time I got to the top of the steepest part I was dripping sweat and having to battle some pretty negative thoughts. I didn't have doubts about finishing, but I had negative thoughts about whether or not I could keep this up. Something that certainly helped with those thoughts, however, was seeing all the little potoroos and wallabies as I skirted the outside of Cleland Wildlife Park. The trail undulates a little more, before it heads into the Cleland Aid station.

I was super happy to see the aid station, and the folks here were absolutely awesome. They even had my drop bag out ready to go even though I decided not to grab it until the second time through the aid station. I had a quick sit down, they fed me some coke and topped up my water bottles and then I got up and kept moving.

I loudly announced that I was going to use the 8-9km loop around Cleland as a bit of recovery from that tough section and I ended up doing just that. It's a pretty chill section so I used it to relax a bit, keep getting food and water in and reset a bit for the next parts of the run. I cruised past some kangaroos who had zero concerns about people, and then onto another lovely bit of single track that was awesome due to the way it drops steeply off to the left, before merging onto the Chambers gully fire trail.

Here the course meanders through some lovely tree-filled gullies. Although much of it was runnable with a few little hillier bits, I had eased the pace and was walking a bit more as a recovery and this worked wonders. By the time I climbed up out of the gully and back into the aid station I was feeling much better mentally.

As I approached the aid station for the second pass I could see there were heaps more people milling around, many wearing packs and warming up. I thought maybe they were pacers for the milers and 100k runners, but wasn't entirely sure. Either way, it made for a real party atmosphere.

The volunteers were once again awesome (even commenting how it felt like I only just left, which made me feel great even if it was a lie...) and filled up my bottles while I changed my shoes and grabbed some more gel supplies out of my drop bag. Changing shoes into another set of trail shoes wasn't strictly necessary, but it was something I'd planned to do and I was glad I did. As I was finishing up my shoe change, I heard the call for the 50km race briefing at it occurred to me that these are all 50km runners about to start, and I was about to be trampled by the 50km folks.

The aid station volunteers were also keen to get me out ahead of the 50km pack, so I grabbed my stuff and sent it down the trail. I was feeling quite a bit better, and kept expecting to have a horde of 50km runners chasing me down, but that never really happened. A couple of the lead guys passed me after I'd hit the road section again, but then it was only a few more after that.

This section I quite like as it leads into Norton Summit. It traverses the countryside with a mix of gravel, single track and a few short road sections with some views out over Adelaide, and I felt like I was moving quite well again.

I approached the shuttle bus (for context - A sketchy road section has been replaced with a 1km shuttle bus) and could see one had just arrived... I started running faster and waved to them but then saw the bus leave again just before I got to the gate. I was so sad to see that bus leave, and the volunteer was very apologetic but they were just following protocol. It was really only a wait of a minute or two to the next bus.

At this stage I had no idea how much of a lead I had, nor did I have any idea who was behind me (checking the data afterwards it was about 30 minutes at this stage) and was expecting it only to be a few minutes of separation. I kept it this way intentionally, not asking questions in an effort to not stress about it. It certainly was playing on my mind a little bit as I was waiting for the bus though.

The next bus turned up in short order. My own private bus really, but after I jumped on the driver asked if I wanted to wait for the next runner coming up, and I decided I waited this long what's another 20 or 30 seconds (The volunteer who sent the last bus away without me then did confirm that I am far too nice...). I decided the bus ride was a good time to slam a caffeine gel, and then ran the last 500m into the aid station.

Norton Summit aid station is a good spot as from here it's only about 40km to the finish, and the volunteers here were just as awesome as all the aid stations, helping me fill up my water. They even had a full-on menu of food, although I did not partake it would have been so good for those coming in a bit later in the evening. After a few slices of orange I headed off again, excited for the next section through the gorge.

Last year in the 100km this section felt quite hot and slow, but this year I felt quite strong and had a lot of fun moving through it (even dodging all the people in the carpark). There are some fun single track descents and then after passing a few waterfalls climbing up the other side on some smooth switchbacks. It was awesome to run into the 32km runners here as they climbed the hills as well. The climbs were over before I even realised it, and I was surprised to be at the top of the descent to the next checkpoint. Although, this steep rocky descent was somewhat uncomfortable I was excited to be at the Montacute Road aid station.

At this checkpoint I once again filled up with water and grabbed a few lollies. I asked if anyone needed my bib number, but they don't do timing at this checkpoint which would then play into the folks following on at home.

I took off from the aid station, and chilled out behind some 32km runners for the short single track climb before overtaking them and hitting the lovely steep climb. This is the penultimate climb of the course though, and the lead 50km woman blew past me like she was hiking on the flat! It's more running once up on the top, but it's not smooth for long before I hit a steep, technical descent.

Each step on the descent was hurting at this stage, and I needed to be a little bit careful as I caught my foot on a rock once or twice and I nearly tripped, but managed to stay upright. The technical section isn't long before it opens up into some more buttery smooth single track where I pass a few more 50km runners, and descends onto fire trail. The reprieve doesn't last long, as then we hit the final big climb of the course.

The last climb felt tough, but 135km into a race of course it's going to feel tough. This one I just put my head down and let my legs do their thing. Cresting the top of this climb then meant I could see the final descent on the other side of the valley. The course follows a rather pretty, open loop around the ridgeline.

Far out the last descent was rough though. My quads were complaining and I didn't want to smash them too much knowing I had 20km of flat running ahead of me, but in particular the steep part of the course with cinder blocks laid across it sure made things interesting...

As it smooths out I fold my poles away (sadly tearing one of the gloves for my poles in the process) and then hit the Gorge Road aid station. Luckily there was a chair available to sit in, and I changed into my road shoes and grabbed a few bits and pieces before leaving again and getting into the final 20km.

At this point I wanted to know if I needed to push, so I messaged Rachel asking for a time check on 2nd place (I still had no idea who it was, but it turned out to be the legend Ben Nicholls). The last available update was from Norton Summit, 20km ago, where I had a lead of 47 minutes. I felt a bit slow in that last section (though it turns out I wasn't slow at all) so I thought for sure that number had come down.

I was still running quite well, though perhaps not as fast as I had imagined, and I passed Brookway Park, meaning only 10km to go.

The lead 50km woman, Tina, caught up to me here and we ran together for a while as she had an 8 minute lead. After a little while I decided I couldn't hold this pace and backed off a little bit while she went on ahead.

Then I got the timing update - The lead was out to 80 minutes. I could relax a bit.

Not far after this I saw my uncle Graham who had come out to a section of the course, which was lovely for some motivation. At this stage with the lead I knew I would win, and with the fuelling issues I did relax and started to slow a bit but was still running consistently enough that I was happy with the pace. Given some of the path had no lighting I got the head torch out, as the last thing I needed to do was to trip with 3km to go.

With less than 2km to go I could see the city and was starting to dodge all the people in the city for the rugby game, and then within the last kilometre I saw the person timing for the finish line, and gave her my number 1075. "That's a long number", she said and I replied with "yep I'm the first of the 100 milers!", finally allowing myself to acknowledge that I was out in front.

I ran the last few hundred metres and then up the hill to cross the line and win the inaugural Ultra Adelaide 100 Mile race, in 18:21:52!

Crossing the finish line was an absolute blur. I chatted to Shaun on the microphone, saw my uncle and aunt there which was lovely of them to come out for the finish, and everyone there was super friendly, congratulatory and wanted to chat which was really cool.

I sat for a while and ate some food to recover, and then decided I had enough time to hobble back to the hotel for a shower before the presentations once the third place male, Brodie, had finished. Of course I nearly fainted once I got back down to the finish area so decided it might be best if I sat down for a while.

The presentations for the 100 Mile event were held a bit later in the evening. I spent most of the intervening time working on some chips and gravy and drinking soft drink.

Overall I'm incredibly glad I accepted the invitation to run the miler this year, it was absolutely worth it. I thought I might have a shot at finishing under 20 hours, but I didn't think I could win it. Of course, as always I learned a lot of lessons particularly around nutrition and effort management that I'm excited to take with me for the next event.

A massive thank you to everyone who supported from Adelaide and from afar. It means a lot to know that people were following along. The volunteers all day were amazing and deserve a massive thanks, these events can't happen without the volunteers. A big thanks as well to Shaun and the Ultra Series crew for having me over and for putting on a fun, challenging and well-organised event.

A huge congratulations to everyone who toed the line over the weekend.

Until the next one!